into books, but composed in one continued work, with no other division but that of little and great Parasches (sections). It is probable that the division into books was first adopted in the Septuagint version.

That Moses was the author of the Pentateuch, is proved by the concurrent testimony of antiquity, and the uniform report of uninterrupted traditions.

The objections which have been urged against this are so trivial as scarcely to deserve notice. They have originated in an inability to comprehend how the genuineness of these books was compatible with the information they convey relative to the more modern names of places, but above all with the account given, in the book of Deuteronomy, of the death and burial of its reputed author. These objections will be noticed in their proper place.*

Moses speaks of himself, in many parts, as the appointed author of the Pentateuch. It is mentioned as the work of Moses, under the title of "The Law," by almost all the sacred writers, and is cited indisputably as his work, and was received as such by every sect of the Jewish and of the Christian Church.

As a further proof that these books were written by Moses, it may be observed, that they are addressed to the Israelites as contemporaries, and they never afterwards could have been imposed as a genuine work upon his countrymen, whose religion and government were built upon them.

But what is sufficient to establish in the mind of every Christian, not only the authenticity of these books as the work of Moses, but also their claim to a divine origin, is, that the words and laws of Moses, are cited by the sacred writers as the words and laws of God: they were likewise appealed to by our Saviour and his Apostles, on various occasions as the genuine work of Moses; as the production of an inspired person or prophet; and Christ solemnly confirmed every jot and title of the law, and bore testimony to the infallible accomplishment of its designs and promises.

For some judicious remarks on the authenticity of the Pentateuch, see Butler's Horæ Biblica, Vol. 1, pp. 257-264. Fourth edition.

laws and hence they became so deeply attached to his person and government.

Moses was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram, and an immediate descendant of Abraham. He was born about A. M. 2433, was miraculously preserved from destruction, and educated" in all the wisdom of the Egyptians."* Being selected by God for the deliverance of the Israelites, he diffidently declined the commission, being as he said "slow of speech." But when encouraged by God, he accepted the appointment, and by a perseverance and fortitude which have never been equalled, he effected the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage, and conducted them miraculously to the borders of the promised land. Having accomplished his ministry and completed the Pentateuch, he " in the faith" relinquished the prospect of Canaan; and in full expectation of a higher reward, resigned his life in the 120th year of his age, and was succeeded by no equal prophet, till the appearance of the Messiah.

The sepulchre of Moses appears to have been miraculously concealed his character, however, was remembered by his people with a reverence that approached to superstition. By the Greeks and Romans also he was not only referred to as the most ancient law-giver,† and as an historian of unimpeachable veracity, but was translated among the gods and worshipped

*Acts vii. 20-22.

↑ We give the following out of many instances. The reader who wishes for fuller information on this interesting subject, may consult Bishop Newton's Dissertation on Moses and his writings. Works, vol. i. pp. 32-40.

Manetho, Eupolemus, Artapanus, Tacitus, Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, and Juvenal, besides many other ancient writers, all testify that Moses was the leader of the Jews and the founder of their laws. Namerius, the Pythagorean philosopher, of Apamea in Syria, called Moses a man most powerful in prayer to God, and said, "What is Plato but Moses speaking in the Attic dialect?" which sentiment, whether just or not, is yet a proof of this philosopher's high opinion of Moses. Plato, Polemus, Artapanus, Pythagoras, Theopompus, and Diodorus Siculus, place Moses in the front of six of the most ancient lawgivers thus: Moses, Sauchnis, Sesonchosis, Bachoris, Amasio, and Darius, father of Xerxes.

The history of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is expressly attested by Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, Solinus, Tacitus, and Pliny. Berosus, Alexander, Polyhistor, from Eupolemus and Melo (writers more ancient than himself), Nicholaus Damascenus, Artapanus, and other ancient historians cited by Jose

1

under different names; for it is easy to trace the features of the Hebrew legislator, veiled under the personage of many a pagan deity. To any person acquainted with the policy and religion' of pagan antiquity, it is obvious that the Pentateuch is the source whence many or most of their customs, laws, and ceremonies were drawn.

(To be Continued.)

Characteristic Notices of Biblical Works.

L-An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. By Thomas Hartwell Horne, A. M. Illustrated with numerous Maps and fac-similes of Biblical Manuscripts. 4 vols. 8vo. Third Edition, 31. 38. boards. Cadell.

A most elaborate work; indispensable to the Biblical student. Mr. Horne has treated more fully and successfully than any of his predecessors, on the four main branches of Biblical study: and we are of opinion that his work will prove a very powerful mean of exciting a more general taste for sacred literature. In these volumes the author has collected, and arranged with great judgment, the fruits of the labour and researches of almost every respectable writer on this branch of literature, with ample references to the sources whence the student, desirous of prosecuting to a greater extent any branch of the subject, may derive the most valuable materials. It is but just to remark, that a spirit of deep piety pervades the whole work, which greatly enhances its value.

Volume 1. contains-A critical Inquiry into the genuineness, authenticity,

phus and Eusebius, make express and honourable mention of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, agreeing with the accounts of Moses: and Josephus states that Hecatæus wrote a book concerning Abraham, which was extant in his time, though it is now lost, Ant. Jud. lib. 1. c. 7. The departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and their miraculous passage of the Red Sea, is attested by Berosus, Artapanus, Strabo, Diodorus Siculus, Numerius, Justin, and Tacitus. Of these, the testimonies of Artapanus, and Diodorus are particularly worthy of notice. According to Artapanus, the Heliopolitans gave the following account of the passage of the Red Sea : "The King of Egypt, as soon as the Jews had departed from his country, pursued them with an immense army, bearing along with him the consecrated animals. But Moses having by the divine command struck the waters with his rod, they parted asunder, and afforded a free passage to the Israelites. The Egyptians attempted to follow them, when fire suddenly flashed in their faces, and the sea, returning to its usual channel, brought an universal destruction upon their army." It is worthy of remark, that the circumstance of the Egyptians being struck with lightning, as well as being overwhelmed by the waves, is mentioned in Ps. xxvii. 7., although unnoticed in the Pentateuch. Horne, vol. 1. pp. 201, 202.

uncorrupted preservation, and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; including, among other subjects, a copious investigation of the testimonies from profane authors to the leading facts recorded in the Scriptures, particularly a new branch of evidence for their credibility, which is furnished by coins, medals, inscriptions, and ancient structures.-This is followed by a full view of the arguments afforded by miracles and prophecy, for the inspiration of the Scriptures, and by a discussion of the internal evidence for their inspiration; with a refutation of the very numerous objections which have been urged against the Scriptures in recent Deistical publications. An appendix to this volume comprises a particular examination of the miracles supposed to have been wrought by the Egyptian Magicians, and of the contradictions which are falsely alleged to exist in the Scriptures. This discussion is followed by a table of the chief prophecies relative to the Messiah, both in the Old and New Testament, and by an examination of the pretensions of the Apocryphal books of the Old and New Testament.

Volume II, in two parts, treats, first, On Sacred Criticism, including an Historical and Critical Account of the original Languages of Scripture, and of the Cognate or Kindred Dialects;-an account (with numerous fac-similes) of the principal manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, with a bibliographical and critical notice of the chief printed editions, &c. &c. of the Scriptures. The benefit to be derived from Jewish and Rabbinical authors is next discussed. These discussions are followed by dissertations,-on the various readings occuring in the Scriptures :-on the quotations from the Old Testament in the New:-on the Poetry of the Hebrews:-and on Harmonies of the Scriptures.

The second part of the second volume is appropriated to the interpretation of the Scriptures;-the signification of words and phrases, with general rules for investigating them; emphatic words,-rules for the investigation of emphases, and particularly of the Greek article;-the subsidiary means for ascertaining the sense of Scripture, viz. the analogy of languages; analogy of Scripture, or parallel passages, with rules for ascertaining and applying them; scholia and glossaries; the subject-matter, context, scope, historical circumstances, and Christian writers, both fathers and commentators.

These discussions are followed by the application of the preceding principles for ascertaining the sense of Scripture, to the Historical Interpretation of the sacred writings;- the Interpretation of the figurative language of Scripture, &c.; -the Spiritual or mystical Interpretation of the Scriptures ;-the Interpretation of Prophecy;-the Interpretation of types; of the doctrinal and moral parts of Scripture, of the promises and threatenings therein contained ;-and the inferential and practical reading of the sacred writings. A copious appendix to this volume comprises (among other articles) bibliographical and critical notices of the principal Grammars and Lexicons of the Hebrew, Greek, and cognate languages; of the most remarkable editions of the Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament; of the principal writers on the criticism and interpretation of the Scriptures, and a select list of the chief commentators and expositors of the Bible.

In Volume III. will be found a sketch or summary of Biblical Geography and Antiquities, in four parts :—

Part I. includes an outline of the Historical and Physical Geography of the Holy Land.

Part II. treats on the Political and Military affairs of the Jews, and other nations incidentally mentioned in the Scriptures.

Part III. discusses the Religious or sacred affairs of the Jews, arranged under proper heads.

Part IV. discusses the private life, manners, customs, amusements, &c. of the Jews and other nations, incidentally mentioned or alluded to in the Holy Scriptures.

An appendix to this volume contains a geographical index of the principal places mentioned in the Bible, &c.

Volume IV. is appropriated to the analysis of Scripture. It contains copious critical prefaces to the respective books, and synopses of their several contents. Throughout the work references have been made to such approved writers as have best illustrated particular subjects; and critical notices of their works have been introduced; in doing this the author has taken care to specify the particular editions.

Such are the plan and objects of this invaluable work, which we strongly recommend to the attention of every person, who aims at acquiring a correct knowledge of the word of God. It is no mean recommendation to say, that the work has been adopted as a text-book in our Universities, and almost every other Theological Seminary in England, as well as several Colleges and Seminaries in the United States.

II. The Old Testament arranged in Historical and Chronological order (on the basis of Lightfoot's Chronicle) in such a manner, that the books, chapters, psalms, prophecies, &c. may be read as one connected history, in the very words of the authorized translation. With copious indexes. By the Rev. George Townsend, A. M.-Two vols. large 8vo. pp. 2738. 17. 16s. boards. Rivingtons, 1821.

This work is very beautifully and accurately printed; it is arranged on the basis of the learned Lightfoot's Chronicle, which appeared nearly one hundred and eighty years since, but which, being published during the height of the civil wars, did not attract the attention which its importance demanded. But though Mr. Townsend has taken Lightfoot's Chronicle for his basis, he has departed from it, for the better, in one very material point. According to his plan, the Old Testament would have been read as one unbroken history, without any division into chapters, or any of those breaks, the omission of which is generally the cause of great weariness to the reader. To obviate this difficulty, Mr. T. has divided his arrangement into eight suitable periods, viz. J. from the Creation to the deluge ;-II. from the confusion of languages to the birth of Moses;-III. from the birth to the death of Moses;-IV. from the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan to the death of David;-V. the reign of Solomon ;-VI. from the accession of Rehoboam, to the commencement of the Babylonish captivity;-VII. the history of the Babylonish captivity;-VIIL, from the termination of the captivity, to the probable close of the canon. These periods are again subdivided into chapters and sections, the length of which is determined by the subjects discussed therein. These divisions will very materially